Trip and control mechanism for mail-treating machines



Nov. 28', 1944. c. D. RYAN ETAL TRIP AND CONTROL MCHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES mmm, s

.t Fa. N.

VE R ...u .,m. HA

m m M e A V n Mw Nov. 28, 1944. c. D. RYAN ET AL 2,363,554

TRIP AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES Filed June 25, 1941 5 SheetsfSheet 2 BY I ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1944. c. D. RYAN ETAL ,Y 2,353,554

TRIP AND CONTROL M-ECHANISM FOR MA IL TREATING MACHINES Filed June 25, 1941 5 sheets-sheet s Nov.`28, 1944. f c. D. RYAN :aT/afl.y 2,363,554

TRIP AND CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINS l Filed June 23, 1941` 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 men/fons ATTRNYS Nov. 28, 1944. c. D. RYAN l-:TAL

TRIP AND CONTROL `MECI-IANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES Filed June 23, 1941' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N: 4 5 E i? am Vf.` MM .M wm. W wa B M w. M om mx. o0. MJ 7 J @4 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 28, 1944 TRIP AND CONTROLA MECHANISM FOR i MAIL-TREATING MACHINES Commodore D. Ryan and Edward P. Drake, Los

Angeles, Calif., assignors to Commercial Controls Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1941, Serial No. 399,324 11 claims. (C1. 10i- 235) This invention relates broadly to automatic machines for treating small objects,and is particularly applicable to mail-treating devices such as postage printing machines, in which a mechanism for acting upona piece of matter isbrought `into action by movement ofthe object against a trigger. i

\ An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type `referred to in which the trigger mechanism is extremely sensitive so that it can be positivelyactuated by contact thereagainst of very light and thin objects,` without damage to the objects.`

Another object is to provide a machine of the type referred to which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation, and inexpensive to maintain. i

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a particularly `simple and effective mechanism for A 4'adjusting the position of the trigger in a machine" ofthe type referred to, and disabling the trigger when the machine is to be used for certain special J purposes.

Fig. 2 is avertical section in the plane II--II fFg.`1; i. l .i

. Fig. 3 is a vertical section in the plane III-III of Fig. 2;

V fFig. 4 is a horizontal section `taken substantially along the line IV--IV of Fig. 3;

1 Fig. 5 is a vertical section, taken substantially along the line V.V of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6` is a horizontal section, taken in the plane VI-VI of Fig. 3; v

Fig. 7 is a skeleton view showing the trigger, clutch and tripping mechanism in a different position of operation fromthat shown in Fig. 3;

` `the plane VIII-VIII of Fig.`7;

, Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed `description to follow of a particular embodiment of the invention as incorporated in a postage kprinting machine. i

Briefly, ,a postage printing machine of the type n to whichthis invention relates, comprises a rotatable printing head and a cooperating rotatable platen adapted to be rotatedby a suitable motor when an envelope orother piece of mail is fed to the printing head and platen with a trigger `positioned in the path of the matter asit moves toward the printing head and a clutch mecha- A nism for connecting the motor to the printing head and platen to start their rotation when the piece of matter is properly positioned to be engaged by' the printing head and platen. The present invention relates chiefly to the construction of the trigger and the tripping mechanism actuated thereby for engaging the clutch that connects the motorto the'printing head and platen. rlhe construction of this vtrigger and tripping mechanism is such `as to require very little `pressure on the trigger to actuate, it, while at the same time insuring `positive operation of the tripping mechanism.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a postage printing machine incorporating theinvention, with portions of the case of the machinecut away to reveal theI interior mechanism;

` Referring first to Fig. l, the postage printing machine therein disclosed comprises as its main `essential elements a hopper I for containing a stack of objects, such as envelopes, to be stamped; a stripping and conveying mechanism 2 for removingenvelopes from the hopper one at a time -andmoving them toward the printing mechanism; and a printing` mechanism 3 which includes a printing head 4 positioned above the path of `travel of the envelopes and a cooperating platen ping mechanismis of no particular interest in connection with the present invention, and will not be described further. Suiiice it to say that `the envelopes are removed one at a time from the `ries it between the printing head 4 and the platen 5.1 Whereas the conveyer belts f6 and 8 `operate continuously, the printing head 4 andV platen 5 are normally stationary but are started automatically in response Ato delivery of an envelope thereto, are rotated through one revolution `to print on the envelope, and are then stoppedpending the delivery of ano-therenvelope =by the conveyer 6. As `each envelope is discharged :from between the printing head 4 and platen 5, it passesover an ejector roll 9, which ejects it from the machine.

The mechanism for tripping the` printing head and platen into 4action includes a trigger I0` positioned in the path of the envelopes closely adjacent the discharge end of the4 table l. This trigger Il) comprises a bifurcated arm I l projecting upwardly from a horizontal shaft l2 which extends .rearwardly through a supporting journal il 3 (Figs.

6 and 8). The journal I3 is rigidly connected to a slidable bar I4 which is supported for longitudinal sliding movement by screws I5 secured to a vertical wall I6 of the machine. The bar I4 (Fig. 3) can ,be adjusted into any one of a plurality of different longitudinal positions, and held v in any of thepositions by a lever I1 having a slot I8 at its lowerrend engaging a pin I9 vin the bar ment 24 positioned alongsideand attached to the wall i6. By pressing the handle .2l of lever I1 forwardly, the pin 22can be disengaged from a hole 23 to permit the lever to be moved into po-` sition to engage another of the holes 423, or the hole 25. Rearward movement of the upper end 2l of lever I1 is limited to a range suil'lcient onlyA to disengage the pin 22 from the holes 23 and 25, by a headed pin 26 which extends from the lever I1 across the upper edge of the segment 2.4. l The head of pin 26 `limits the movement of the lever I1 away from the segment 24 just sufficiently to disengage thepin 22 from the holes 23 and 25.`

Movement of the lever I1toshift thersliding lbar I 4 longitudinally into anew position shifts the trigger I0 longitudinally in the path of travel ofthe envelopes.

The printing head 4 rotates into position to initiate the printing operation at a fixedtime following the actuation of the trigger I6 by an Aenvelope. Hence by adjusting the longitudinal position' of the trigger, the position of `the stamp printed on the envelope can be varied. 1 The drive from an electric motor to the printing head and platen will be described in detail later. Suffice itA to` say at this point that this drive includes a clutch`21 (Fig. 3)'. which has an arm 28 normally engaged by alatch 29, under which conditions the clutch is dis-engaged and the printing head and platen are held stationaryin a neutral position. When the latch 29 is rocked out of engagement with the arm 28 the clutch 21 engages automatically to couple the printing head and platen to the motor for rotation through oney revolution, at the end of which the latch 28 again engages the arm v28 and disengages the clutch.

The latch 29 is adapted to be disengaged in response to actuation of the trigger I Il, and fthe mechanism for 'performing this function will now be described.

Secured to the rear end of the trigger shaft I2 is a bellcrank 36 (Fig. 8) having on one arm a pin 3l (Fig. 3) and having in the other arm a hole 32. A tension spring 33 is stretched between the hole 32 and a pin 34 on the slide bar I4, which urges the bellcrank 36 counter-clockwise (clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3) into neutral position, in which position the bifurcated trigger arm I`I extends substantially vertical. With the trigger assembly in neutral position and the lever pin 22 inone of the holes 23, as shown in Fig. 3, the pin 3| liesr above an arm 36 on a shaft 31 (Fig. 6).,

, whichshaft extends rearwardly through frame e and the link 41 tends ti'ift the latter at an times.

Clockwise rocking movement of the trigger I0 (counterclockwise with reference to Figs. 3 and 7) by a letter, carries the pin 3| down against the arm 36, rocking the latter downward which rocks the shaft 31 clockwise with reference to` Fig. 3 to shift the link 4I to the left.

The foregoing movement of the arm 36 in rey spense to rocking movement ,off the trigger assembly takes place only when the lever I1 is in position in which the pin 22 engages one of the holes 23. When the lever I1 is moved to engage vthe pin 22 withthe hole 25, the slidebar I4 is shifted a distance great enough to carry the pin 3| clear of the outer end of the arm 36 so that actuation of the trigger by an envelope then has noeffect on the clutch 21. The handle 2l is moved into this latter position when articles are to be 4fed through the machine without being printed on, as for example, when it is desired to only seal envelopes. A sealing mechanism is incorporated in the machine but has not been disclosed or described herein because it is fully dis.- closed in the copending application vof Sager, et al., Serial No. 332,305,.hereinafter referred to.

Under normal conditions, the upward movement of the link 4I in response to the tension of the spring 42 is limited by contact of a follower 53 on the link with a cam g2, to the position shown in Figi 3, in which a slot in the left end of the 1ink-4l engages one arm 44 of `abellcrank level 45 pivotally supported by a bolt 46 on a stationary Wall 41 of bracket 59. This bellcrank 45 is urged counterclockwise-with reference to Fig. 3 by a light torsion spring 48 (Fig. v4.), thereby holding the arm 44 against a stop ear- 49 turned 0115 from the wall 41, The other arm 5I! of the bellcrank 45 normally extends substantially horizontal and its end 5I acts as a stop-.for `a roller 52r on the lower end of an arm 53 of `a three-armed lever 54, anotherA arm of-which constitutes the clutch latch 28.

The lever 54lhas a hub 5,5 rotatably supported on a shaft 56. The shaft 56 is supported at its opposite ends in rubber bushings 51, one of which ,ismounted in the wall 41 and the other ismount:

ed in a wall 58H. The two walls 41 and 58 constitute the two sides of a vertically extending Yweb, 6l shockinsulatesthe Ueshaped'bracket 59 from the main frame ofthe machine, The upper end of the` U-shaped bracket 59 is insulatingly supported from the main frame of the machine by a rubberized fabric strip 64r y 'The latch 2,9 (Fig. 3?.,l alslrprevously Stated. is constituted by an upwardly extending arm ofthe three-armed lever .5,4- "The third. arm 55. of this .lever extends substantially horizontally, and is urged downwardly by fi/tension Spring 55 Qonnected between.r the. enclcf the armena a bentout portiony 61 of the Stationary bracket 59.'` A stop member 68,' of yieldable material, in the path of the arm 65, `limits yrocking movement of the lever 54 to an angle only suiiicientto disengage the latch `2 9fro`m the clutch arm 28. r

Under normal conditions, the-arm 56 of the bell-crank 45 lies in the path. of the roller 52. and

prevents the lever 54 frrai'being, rocked. bythe arm` 59 upward outof the path `of the roller `5l,

as shown in Fig. '1.

Pi'viously described,` rocks the bellcrank 45 whereupon `the spring66 `rocks the lever 54 to `elockwise (witlrrespect to Fig. 3), tocarry the a,ece`,t"54

disengage the latch. Thereupon the clutch 21 `ngaged to "drive the Yprinting head and platen YThe drive from the mot @nannten may be traced as follows:

or to the printing `head The motor 89 (Fig. 2) has a pulley 10 coupled by la belt 1| to a pulley 12 on a shaft 13 which vbelt ``to apulley 16 secured to a vsleeve 11` roshaft carries a smaller pulley 14 coupled by a return of the bellcrank 45 (bythe torsion spring tatablymounted on a shaft 18 journaled in the 48), but such return is prevented by the fact that frame members of the machine. This sleeve 11 the roller 52 is blocking downward movement of the arm 50. Continued rotation of the shaft 88 carries thehiglr'part of the eccentric cam 9| against the roller 94, which swings the three-arm lever 54 back intolnormal position against the is coaxial with -and is connected to a ratchet wheel 19 of the clutch.21 (Fig. 3). When the force exerted by the spring66` (Fig. 3). During clutch is tripped by disengagement of the latch this `return movement of lever `54, the cam 92 29`ffrorn thearm 28, one of aplurality of pawls 80 ona driven shaft 8| of theclutchis engaged 2o with the ratchet `19 so that the disc 8| is positively driven. The disc 8|"` is 4connected to a sleeve B2 which in turn is connected through a flexible connection 83 toa gear 84 which is semaintains the 1ink`4| in lower position clear of cured to the shaft 18, previously mentioned. 'I'his the arm 44so that as soon as the restoring movement of the lever 54 carries the roller 52 out from under the arm 5U of the bellcrank 45, the latter is rocked by `itsspring 48 4back into the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the end of the arm 50 blocks return movement of the roller 52, and the arm 44 restsagainst the stop 49. In

shaftf18is connected at its forward end by a coupling 85 tothe coupling of a postage meter`86 inwhich the printing head is incorporated.

The gear84 on the` shaft 18 meshes `witha gear `81 of the same size on a shaft 88, which shaft is connected through a shaft89 and suitin opposite directions.

response to final rotation of the shaft `88 back able `universal couplings with a shaft `9|), which into normal position, as shown in Fig. 3, the cam 92 permits the link 4| to be raised by the spring If the trigger arm has been restored to carries the platen5 so that the printing head 4 and the platen 5 rotateat the same speed but normal position, then the end` of the link 4| can ated printing machine.

clear the arm 44 and it will move up into the 'The details of the clutch 21 do not constitute normal position,fa`s` shown in Fig. 3. If the triga part of the present invention, but are disclosed but it is described in det in detail in the application of Ryan, et al., Serial struction of the flexible connection 83 is of no tioned application.

ger `arm has not been restored to `normal position at the time that the cam 92 permits upward movement of the link)` 4|, then the latter comes to rest against the lower end ofthe arm 44 until such time as the trigger arm is released, where- "A complete discl No".` 317,418,1led February 5, 1941, on Power `oper- Likewise, the exact' con- Serial No. 332,305,

moment in connection with the present invention,

treating machine.

upon the link 4| will. be retracted to the right ail in the above-men- (with reference to Figs. 3 and '1 untilthe left end of the linkslips past the end of arm 44.

osure of a postage meter corresponding to the meter 86 ,of Fig. 2, may be found Referring again to Fig. 3

It will be"observed from the foregoing description that the movement of the three-arm lever 54 into clutch-disengaging position is effected by the spring 66, and' `that the onlywork that has to be performed by the envelope acting against arm 50 clear of" the roller 52.

in the copending application of Sager, et al., filed April 29,` 1940, `on Mail stored shortly after the arm`28 swings clear of the triggerV armn-ll is that necessary to lift the the latch, so that it will be in position to again The energy required to perform this operation is very slight because the` movement of the arm 5|) is substan- `the latenza is reengage the arm 28 andstop the clutchafter the tially perpendicular to the direction of movement latter has made one revolution.` This restorationwof the latch 29 isfeffected bya mechanism of the roller 52. Furthermore, the corner of the that is power-driven through the clutch 21 itself,

and includes a pair of cams 9| and 92, respecclockwise direction (with reference to Figs.3 and ever the clutch 21 is engaged.

movement of the arm 50. l

7)V through the gears 84 and 81 (Fig. 2) whenarm 50 contacts the roller 52 very near` the dead center line between the fulcrum 46 andthe center of the roller 52, so thatfollowing a very slight tively, on the shaft 88, which is driven in counterinitial movement `of the arm 50 theforceof the springBS becomes effective to help in the upward The spring 66 can belnade as hea As best shown in Fig. 7, the cam 92 coo `with afollower 98 on the link 4|,"and the cam 9| cooperates Vwith a follower roller 94 on the arm 53 of the three-arm lever 54.` Fig. '1 shows perates 28 by movement ofthe arm 50upward out of the path of theroller 52. It will be observed that vyas necessary to insurelprompt and positive disengagement of the latch 29 because the power for reseting the lever 54 and tensioning the spring 66 is derived thepositions of the parts immediately after the from the motor through the cam 9|. Of course latch 29 has been disengaged from the clutch arm the power` necessary to reset` the link 4| is also supplied from the motor through the cam 92. y It has previously beenexplained that the pin 3| (Fig,` 3) is positioned above the arm 36 to make the trigger arm lI I,` effective to rock the at `thisstage of `operations Va rise on the cam 92 70 isjust beginning tofbear against the follower 93 on the link 4I, and further movement will carry arm 36 and disengage the clutch whenever the 'the`left end of `the link ,4l downwardly clear of lever |1. is so positionedthat the pin 22 engages `thelzowerarm 44 of the bellcrank 45. The link one of `the holes 23.` When it is desired to dis- 'I thereafter no longer prevents counterclockwlse able theftripping mechanism, the lever |1 is moved to engage the pin 22 with the hole 25, which shifts the sliding bar |4 adistance great of thearm 36 so that actuation of the trigger arm then has no eiect on the clutch 21.

enough to carryr the pin 3| clear of the outer end A stop bar 43, positioned abovethe link 4| formspartof an interlock mechanism for disabling the clutch tripping `mechanism when the postage meter is not in proper position on the machine, or is inoperative. Thus the bar 43 constitutes the rear end of a lever 96 (Fig. 2) which is fulcrumed near middle on a fulcrum 91 and depresses theflatter when the` postage meter is i in operative position and is properly lookeddovvn to lthebase 99, thereby `depressiglig theforw'ard end of the lever Stand raising the ,rear endCOhstituting the stop bar 43 into the position shown in Fig. 3.,r However, if for any reason` the pin 98 is not-depressed by the associated pin inpthe postage meter, lthen the forward erlolofy the `lever 96 is urgedupvvardly by a helical compression .Spring L00 and the rear end of the barai43 is movedl downwardly to carry the link 4I clear of ,the varm 44, `so that although the` link 4l can still `besl'nfted longitudinally in responseto actuation of the trigger arm Il, it is `,ineiect,ive to release fthe clutch latch 29. i

.Although for kthe purpose of explaining the invention speciiic 'embodimentsthereoi have been described in the substantial detail, it is to be runderstood that various changes may be made in the particular construgtions shown without departing vfrom-the invention, which is to be lim,- ited only to the extent set forth in the ,appended claims. s We claim: Y

1. In an object-treating machine i having a treating mechanism, conveyor means for vsuccessively delivering objectspastrsaid treating mechanism, a driving means, a clutch for coupling` said driving means to said mechanism, means 4v,for engaging and disengaging said clutchfcomprising: a control member operating directly on said clutch, means for actuating said control member including a shaft andan arm for rocking4 the shaft, trigger means adapted to be tripped by `movement of each object to said'treating mechlanism, including a trigger, aslidable member pivotally supporting said trigger andvslidable in the direction of movement of said objects, leverv `means"fulcrumed on said 'slidable member and connected to said trigger to be rocked thereby, said lever means havinga crank normally positioned'above said arm, whereby rocking movement of the-trigger rocks the crank down 'againstv wherebyqoperation of the trigger is' in'eifective to actuate said control member, a lever having a pin and slot'connection with said slidable member at one end for moving said slidable member longitudinally in response to rocking'movement 4of the lever, and detent means-on 'said `lever vfor `releasably.locking it in any one of a plurality of positions corresponding -to said diierent positions of adjustment of said s lidable member.

toward. said olilieh engasiilsrpositiom a .latch nor: :sally engaging said Control member and holding it iriitseluteii disengagiilg position againstftbe forge of said bias means, said latch comprising f a level". m0321101?, Dew/6.11 a fllSt POSOH in Whiiil an en dwof said lever holds said control member in its clutch disengaging positioniiilld a second position in which `said end of said lever releases said control member to permit movement `thereof toits Clutch engaging position.- a lilik, pivot means rotatably sppporiing saidlink at .one end, means -for rocking said linkaboutsaid pivot means into and out Vof the path of one end of saidlever, and means for moving said pivot meanstofshift said linkv substantially longitudinally i whereby said link aetuates or fails toactuate said lever 4depending upon the position o f angular adjustmentof Asaid link about said pivot means.,`

= 3. In an object treatingmaehine having a treating mechanism for treating objects succes.- siyely delivered thereto, a driving means and a clutch for coupling said. `driving means to said mechanism, means for engaging and disengagiiigL said Vclutch comprising: Aa control member operavtivelyy associated with said clutch-.and movable between, clutch engaging and disengaging `1105itions, means-for biasing said control member toward said` clutch engaging position, a latch normally engaging said control member and holding itin its clutch disengaging position against the force of said'bias means, said latch 4eomprisinga lever rockable between a rst posiv,tion in which an end of said lever holds said con,- trol member in its clutch disengaging position and a second position in which said endfofsaid lever,` releases said` control member toY permit 'movement thereof toits clutch engaging position, Y allais pivot mea-11S rotatably supporting said link 4at one end, means `for rocking said link about said pivotimeansinto-and out of the pathof one end of said lever, means for moving said pivot means to shift said link -`substantially longitudinally whereby `said llink actuates orpfails to actuate said lever depending upon the position of angular ,adjustment of Said link about said pivot means,

for effecting shifting movement of said Vlink.

4. In an object treating machine havingy 'a treating mechanism'for treating objects successively delivered thereto, a driving means and a I4eluteh for coupling said driving means lto said 2, In an object treating `machine having a treating mechanism for treating objects successively delivered thereto; 'a driving means and a clutch for couplin-gvsaid driving means to said mechanism, means uIoieiigagirig and disengaging L said .clutch comprising: a control member opera- .tively associated with said ehiieh 'and movable t Lbeivveeii clutch engaging .and dislepgaging positions, nioaiis for ,biasing saidoontrol member ,mechanism, means for engaging andldisengaging said clutch comprising: a `control member o perativel y associated withA said clutch and movo able betweenA ellltehengaging and disengagipg i positions., means forV biasing` said control member toward` said` clutch engaging position, ya latch normally engaging said control member and holding it Vin -its clutch disengalging position against the force of said bias mearl's, ASaid latch comprisinga lever roekable between fa rst .position in Vwhich an erid of said lever, holds said control member in itsl ,clutch disengaging position .anda seco-nd position in which said end ofrsaid lever releases said. Control member to permit movement thereof at its `cluieli epgagingprisition, a link, pivot. meapsjrotatably supporting said link at one-,end'means forroeking said link about said pivot means 'intoabd out of thepath of elle "endet said lever', means for` moving said pivot Y `means to vshift said link' sebstantia11y'1ongimqiilally .whereby said 'link laotuates or .fails to' actufate said lever depending upon theA position :of angular adjustment of said'liiik about said pivot means, land interlock means movable against one `edgeof said link` tohold it clear of said lever to sively delivered' thereto, a driving means and a V clutch for coupling said driving meansto said mechanism, means for engaging and disengagingA said clutch comprising: a control member operatively associated with said clutch andmovable between clutch engagingandldisengaging positions, means for biasing said` control member to- `Ward said clutch engaging position, a latch normally engaging said control member and holding vit, in its clutch disengaging` position against the `force of said bias means, said latch comprising a .lever rockable between a rst position in which an i end of said 'lever holds said control member in t its clutch `disengaging position and a second position in which saidend of saidlever releases said controlmember to permit movement thereof at its `c1utchengaging position, a link, pivot means 4rotatably supporting said link at` one end, means for rocking said link about said pivot means into -andi out, of the lpath of one end `of said lever, means for moving said pivot means to shift said means qsubstantially longitudinally with respect to said linkin response to `tripping of said trigger, spring" means urging said link about said pivot means into the path of said lever, whereby longitudinal movement `of said link rocks said lever out of holding relation with said control member, spring means urgingsaid lever into holding relation with said control member, and means driven by said driving means for resetting `saidl control member into its clutch disengaging position.

7. `In` an -object treating machine having a treating mechanism for treating `objects successively delivered thereto, `a driving means and a clutch for `coupling said driving meansto said mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said clutch comprising; a control member opermally engaging said control member and holding link substantially longitudinally whereby said link i actuates orfails to actuate said lever depending upon the position of angular adjustment of said link about said pivotmeans, and-interlock means movable against one` edge of said link to holdit clear of said lever to prevent actuationof said lever in` response to said `longitudinalmovement of the link, said edgeof said link being curved to compensate for the departure from linear movement Vof sai'dpivot means whereby the said other end of they link is moved linearly. i i

i 6. In an object treating machine having" a" tions, means for biasing said control member toi ward said clutch-engaging position, a 'latch normally engaging said control member and holding it in its clutch` disengagingv position against the force of said biasmeans, said `latch comprising a lever rockable between a first position in which an end of said lever holds said `control member in its clutch disengaging position and a second position in which said end of said lever releases said t control member to permit movement thereof to its clutch engaging position, a link, pivot means rotatably supporting said link at one end, means for rocking said link about said pivot Vmeans into and out ofthe path of one end of said lever,` means for moving said pivot means to shift said i linkl substantially longitudinally whereby said link actuates or fails to actuate said leverv depending upon the position of angular adjustment of said link about said pivot means, said latch comprising a lever rockable into and out of the path of said control member, a trigger adapted to be tripped by movement of each object to`r said treating mechanism, a link responsive to Vtripping of said trigger for tripping said latch out of holding relation with said control member to renderV said bias means effective to move said control member into its clutch engaging position to engage said clutch, pivot means supporting said link at one end, means for moving said pivot` it in its `clutch disengaging position against the forceiof said bias means, said latch comprising a lever` rockable `between a rst position in which an endof said lever holds said control member in its clutch disengaging position and a second position in which said endof `said lever releases said control member to permitimovement thereof to its clutch engagingposition, a link, pivot means rotatablysupporting said link at one end, means for rocking said link about said `pivot means into and out of the path; of one end of `said lever,

`means for movingjsaid pivot means to shift said link substantially longitudinally `whereby said link actuates or` fails to actuate said leverdepending upon: the position of angular adjustment of saidz `link about said `pivot means, said latch comprising a lever rockable into and out of the path of said control member, a` trigger adapted to be tripped `by movement of each objectto said treating mechanism, a linkresponsive to tripping `of said trigger for trippingsaid latch out of holding relation with said control member to render said bias means effective to move saidl control` t member into its clutch engaging position to engage said clutch, pivot means supporting said link at one end, means formoving said pivot means substantially longitudinally with respect to said link in response to tripping of said trigger, spring means urging said link about said pivot lmeans into the path oisaid lever, whereby longitudinal movement of said link rocks said lever out of holding `:relation with said control member, spring means urging said lever into holding relation `with said lcontrol member, means driven by said driving means for resetting said control member into its clutch disengaging position, said resetting means comprising a rst cam for rocking said link about its pivot out of engagement with said lever to permit return of the lever by its spring when said control member is returned to its iirst position,'and a second cam operating in synchronism with said first cam for thereafter v moving said control member intoits clutch disengaging position.

8. In an object treating machine having a treating mechanism for treating objects successively delivered thereto, a driving means and a clutch for coupling saiddriving means to said mechanism, means for engaging and disengaging said clutch comprising: ashaft on which said clutch is mounted, a countershaft, gear means connecti ing said shafts, control means movable between clutch engaging and disengaging positionsa latch normally holding said control means 1n clutchdisengaging position, means actuated by movement ofi-each object toward said treating devic f or releasing said latch and `control means to en et clutch engagement, means responsive to an in perative' condition of said treating mechanism fo disabling said last-mentioned means to prevent release of said latch and said control means when said treating mechanism is in inoperative condition, `and means on said countershaft and rotatable therewith for resetting said control means Ato, its ,clutch disengaging position during the operating cycle of the machine.

V9. In an object `treating machine having a treatingmechanism for treating objects successively delivered thereto, a driving means and a clutch forA coupling said'driving means to said mechanism, meansffor engaging and disengaging said clutch comprising: control means associated with said clutchand movable between clutch engaging ,and disengaging positions, means including a lever actuatedbymovement of each object toward said treatingdevice, a link pivotally connected to said leverand adapted upon movement thereof to move-longitudinally with respect to said control means for moving said control means to its clutch engaging position, interlock mean-s movable against one edge o-f saidlink to hold it clear of said control means to prevent actuation thereof in response to the longitudinal movement 'A of saicl link,l and means associated with said link to compensate for the departure from linear movement of the pivotal connection between said link and lever, whereby the other end of said link is movedlinearly.

10. In control mechanism for a `clutch in a mail treating machine or the like, said clutch being adapted to operate cyclically one revolution per each complet'ecycle of operation, 'saidfclutch'havfl igig a member movable between clutch engaging and disengaging positions, a support column'disposed in saidcmachine adjacentl said clutch,`zl control lever pivotally mounted on said `support adapted to move between engaging and disengag'- ing positions with respect to said clutch member and accordingly to eiiect engagement or disengag'ement of said clutch, alatch pivotally mount#- ed on said column for normally holding said lever in clutch' disengaging position, and means rfor moving said lever into clutch engaging position when said'lever -is releasedk by said latch;

11. In control mechanism for a clutch in a mail treating machine or the like, said clutch being adapted to operatelcyclically one revolution 'per each complete cycle of operation, said 'clutchhaving a member movable between clutch engaging and disengaging positions, a supportcolumn dislposed in said machine adjacent said 'clutchggf controlflever pivotally mounted 0n' said suppo adapted to move between'engaging and disengag;

ing positions with respect t'o said clutch memberj and accordingly to effect engagement or disengagement of said clutch, a 'latch pivotally mountg ed on said column for normally holding said lever in clutch disengaging position, means for moving l said lever into clutch engaging position when said .COMMODORE D. RYAN.

l EDWARD P, DRAKE; l 

